Author: kyriss
The true love of God leads to steadfastness in His Word
For those numbered among the faithful in this place, especially you who attended both this past Wednesday’s Divine Service and one of the last Sunday’s Divine Services, two themes were repeated in the public proclamation of God’s Word. Wednesday’s sermon was guided by these words: the letters of the Law kill, and the Gospel is the means through which the Spirit sustains life. As last Sunday’s sermon was developed it brought forth this theme: God listens to our pleas. Today, we hear of the true love of God. In it we are led to steadfastness in His Word. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit leads Christians into acting in true love for the benefit of our neighbors….For more, click on the title above.
Deaf and mute
Throughout His incarnate earthly ministry, Jesus performs a wide variety of miracles for the people He comes across. Christ feeds many with a small amount of food, raises people from the dead, calms a raging storm and sea, fills nets with fish, casts out demons, and as we see in our Gospel reading for today, heals the ailments of those who are suffering. Today we hear that God listens to our pleas….For more, click on the title above.
A lesson in humility
Beautiful traditions: Helpful if they are received in true faith
On this Sunday of each Church Year, for centuries in the confessing Church, God’s people have heard of beautiful traditions. We are reminded by the readings of the day that those things which we have received from the ancient fathers of the Faith are helpful. That is, whenever they are received in true faith. That remains certain whether or not those things that have been faithfully handed on are the central focus of a given Sunday sermon.
Today, we have heard how Cain and Abel, the children of Adam and Eve, dealt with at least one of the traditions they had received from their father. Those would have been handed onto them after Adam’s fall into sin. We have again heard of the tradition of giving allegiance offerings to God. These the faithful participate in with thanksgiving for all His benefits to His highest creatures. …For more, click on the title above.
The temple of the Lord
Luke’s account of Christ’s arrival at and actions in the Temple in Jerusalem, which was read a few moments ago, is quite wonderful. It falls right after the Triumphal Entry, where the Savior enters the city that is the final destination of His incarnate earthly ministry. It is a city that would soon demand His death on the cross as punishment for claiming He was the Son of God, and in the eyes of the officials, misleading the people. …For more, click on the title above.
Proclaim the Word in every way
I love the structure of the Lutheran service…not just today, but in every Divine Service. If one follows from the opening versicles all the way through to the Benediction, one can see a story unfold. And it’s a story that never fails to satisfy the hearer. There is always repentance, forgiveness and satisfaction. The satisfaction of being loved with a steadfast love, being shown mercy, with mercy that will endure forever….For more, click on the title above.
Comparing God’s Word to man’s
Beware of false shepherds
Praising the Steward
Throughout Scripture, there are plenty of texts that can leave a reader confused as to what is happening, what the meaning is, or why a Prophet, Apostle, or even God Himself said something. Some of these possibly confusing excerpts can be understood by looking at the text in the original language. Others can be cleared up by considering the setting. Then there are a select few texts that can seem to be a raging river of endless confusion at times and understanding them can feel like trying to solve a puzzle. The “Parable of the Dishonest Steward” in the Gospel of Luke is an over achiever and falls into all three of these categories. …For more, click on the title above.